Elpho Info

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

June 2013 Volume 58

Community Newsletter for the Elphinstone, Faraday, Sutton Grange and Metcalfe districts

Welcome to winter ... brrr

Mapping in Elphinstone
For many years there have been issues around the accuracy of maps of Elphinstone. These have been due to relying on gold-rush era subdivision maps and from several re-alignments of major highways which has resulted in closure, division and renaming of roads. There are also private drives marked as roads on some maps, and a well-known internet mapping service starting with the letter G has led more than one delivery truck into the bush behind Taradale when looking for my house in Sarah Court. Many people have a story about visitors getting lost which is inconvenient, but there are also concerns when outside emergency services such as ambulance and police are delayed getting to their destination. The idea of making an accurate map of the local Elphinstone area for the public came up as an important priority during a recent Community Forum held at the Elphinstone Hall. There was very strong agreement that this needed to be done for the benefit of the residents and visitors. Although the Elphinstone Community Association has no delegated authority to finance this project, members thought it should be initiated anyway and seek financial and logistics support from the Council as required. The process may take some time and is thought to be roughly the following: 1. Define the area 2. Make a map of the defined area available for public comment and amendment 3. Create an amended map based on the feedback 4. When no more amendments are forthcoming, make a large map for public display and smaller copies for sale to residents or visitors Currently the ECA is working on step 2 with the assistance of our Councillor and the Council thanks to Christine Henderson for her support. It is intended to make a large-scale map book available at the Post Office counter for people to look at and mark in their local knowledge.

June 22 Sat: Carpet bowls at the Sutton Grange Hall, 6pm 25 Tues: Elphinstone Carpet Bowls team competition grand final, 7:30pm 27 Thu: ELMA AGM 7pm Elphinstone hall 28 Fri: Elphinstone Carpet Bowls season break-up, 7:30pm July 24 Wed: Elphinstone Community Facilities Committee of Management meeting, 7:30pm at the hall (all welcome) 27 Sat: Trivia night & cassarole tea at the Sutton Grange Hall, 6pm Late-month, date TBA: Elphinstone Cricket Club AGM August 23 Fri: Deadline for September Elpho Info submissions 24 Sat: Sports/games night at the Sutton Grange Hall, 6pm September Elphinstone Cricket Club, Seniors training resumes.
The Elpho Info can be read online: http://elphoinfo.blogspot.com.au/

Fiona Gatt (editor)

Update: Two unnamed roads between Finnings Rd and Calder Freeway were named by council on May 14th. They are Allendale and Harold Rd. [ed.]

Mike Reeves

NEXT EDITION

Articles and advertising for the September Elpho Info are due by Friday 23rd August. Email your articles, photos, jokes, etc to gattfiona@gmail.com A reminder that for most advertisers, annual renewals are due before the next (September) edition. The Elpho Info is compiled and edited by Fiona Gatt, using a template designed by Beth Melleck. Gill at the shop is the contact for billing queries. Elpho Info is a member of the Community Newspapers Association of Victoria.

Elphinstone Primary School

News students at Elphinstone Primary School in 2103 The main 150th celebratory event will be our fair and will be held on Sunday November 10th from 11 3pm and there will be plenty of attractions for young and old!
It was a great day for our school and local community a few Sundays back as we hosted the Elpho Expo. It was the first step in developing the Elphinstone Community Action Plan and it gave our locals a chance to meet and chat with community groups, fill in a survey and have a say in the direction and vision for our town. Fiona Gatt should be congratulated for heading up a very successful day and she was able to join our assembly on the following Monday to include our students in the process. There were some interesting ideas tossed around, although I dont think our community would support the idea of a KFC store in the main street! We begin another year of Energy Breakthrough where we race our Human Powered Vehicle at Maryborough in November. This year we have combined with Holden and we have been assigned Lynnard Cucksey, a Holden electrical engineer as the students mentor and he is very keen to visit our school and meet the students and assist them on preparing for the event in November. Early next term he will be driving up a Holden Volt, the latest hybrid car, to show the children. Neil Girvan will also bring along his 1918 Model T Ford so the students can compare and contrast technology over the past 100 years. We turned the clocks back 150 years at Elphinstone Primary School last term. It was period costumes all around as students were introduced to school yard games and activities of a bygone era. Marbles, quoits, knuckles and dancing around the maypole were on the timetable along with making Victorian Peg Dolls and Thaumatropes which were an early form of animation. We looked at what students learnt and even types of corporal punishment that were handed out to unruly students! We hosted students and teachers from Chewton, Taradale, Langley and Redesdale Mia Mia last Friday for our regular gathering and the children definitely had a lot of fun. Brendan Stewart, Principal
Wright Street Elphinstone 5473 3285 elphinstone.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au www.elphinstone.vic.edu.au Left: Asha, Abi, Tess and Bec get into the spirit of the group day!

Elphinstone Common School No220 was located in St Marys Church building Elphinstone for the first seven years of its existence, from 18621869. In 1869 the new building at Wright St Elphinstone started to be used, although furnishings were not completed for almost one year after the building was put to use.

Elphinstone Primary School Flashback

Elpho Info

Facts from A History of Elphinstone by Ken James and Noel Davis, available at the General Store.

June 2013

A message from our councillor

roads in Elphinstone, with a view to sorting out the mess, largely the legacy of the town being divided by the Calder Highway not once but three times. One road that has already been renamed is the section of the previous Calder Highway from Elphinstone to Harcourt, now under the control of Council. The name chosen for this road, as many people will be aware, is Harmony Way. Why this name? Whenever a road needs to be named, there is a procedure, set by the State Government, which Council must follow. One part of this is to consult with representatives of the Dja Dja Wurrong Corporation, the official body that represents the indigenous people of this region. Usually the Jaara dont have any concerns about naming a road, but in the case of the old highway, they requested that it be named after one of the ancestors of the Nelson family of Castlemaine, Henry Harmony Nelson. Born in 1855, Henry and his contemporaries were moved off this land, their ancestral land, first to Healesville and later to Echuca, where he and his wife Maggie cared for people in their community while living in very challenging circumstances on the infamous Cumeragunja station. Henrys story, told elsewhere, is one of survival and leadership during times of great hardship for his people. Council decided that it was fitting that one of our more significant roads be named after him. As well as recognising a leader of the time, it stands as a reminder that our local history goes back more than 150 years. So why not call the road Henry Harmony Nelson Way? Sadly the current rules for road-naming say that only one word may be used. By the way, if youre on Harmony Way on June 23rd, watch out for the Castlemaine Cycling Clubs next Open Race, the Individual Time Trial, which attracts contestants from all over the State and beyond. Of course as your local councillor Im always contactable via email coliban@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or phone 04660 04628. Just leave a message and Ill call you back.

Elpho Info

It was great to see the steady stream of people at the Elpho Expo late last month. The Expo, a key step in the development of the Elphinstone Community Plan, was devised and run by a well organised group of local volunteers. Many people contributed to the day by running information tables, manning the barbeque or just showing up and suggesting ideas for the Plan. The evening session built on what had been talked about or written down during the Expo, and the Plan framework began to take shape. A follow up meeting is planned for June 19th, 7.30 pm at the Elphinstone Community Hall. This will be an opportunity to work through the notes from the Expo, and decide on a timeline and process for bringing together the draft Elphinstone Community Plan. Before the plan is finalised, all households will be mailed a copy of the draft, to give everyone the opportunity for comments and suggested changes. Contact our Community Planner, Chris Walters on 54711821 if you have a query. One of the projects linked to community planning which is already underway, is the Community Facilities Committees project to identify all misnamed and unnamed

Christine Henderson

Henry Harmony Nelson and family

June 2013

Elphinstone Fire Brigade

Another quarter has flown by so fast, mainly because the Brigade continues to be busy. This year has seen 65 Brigade turnouts already this year up until the end of May and, according to our Captain Andy Chapman, this would be close to a record number of turn outs for the Brigade in a five month period.

The Elphinstone Brigade is presently working closely together with other Brigades along the Calder Freeway corridor to improve our processes for any incidents along this stretch of road. The co-operation between the various Brigades has been extremely positive and encouraging, and we look forward to a combined approach, where appropriate, which will hopefully result in enhanced benefits and greater efficiency in response times for all concerned. Our Brigade also continues to be actively involved in fundraising and recently attended a couple of local clearing sales in the district. We hope that some locals managed to partake in our tasty sausage sizzles whilst browsing and bidding on the various lots which were up for sale. Both sales were very well attended and we would like to thank the vendors for inviting us along, giving us the opportunity to provide catering on the day and to boost the Brigades funds with the proceeds at the same time.

a boost and they have shown that they are very keen and willing to join in and help the community. The fresh enthusiasm and personal commitment which they bring to the role is appreciated by all Brigade members. The chill in the air indicates that Winter is upon us, true to the season, and as such it is a timely reminder to ensure that a few basic safety measures are foremost in peoples minds, as Winter can be a particularly hazardous time for the incidence of house fires.

battery is changed and that your smoke detector is tested to be in good working order. (I am sure that there is no truth in the rumour that our Elpho Info editor tests hers regularly, in fact every time she cooks dinner!) Speaking of cooking, please do not leave cooking unattended as this is a major cause of house fires and only takes distraction for a few moments to allow a pan on the stovetop to ignite. A fire blanket in the kitchen can be a handy tool and prevent further spread of the fire after initially turning off the heat source, if safe to do so. Please also take care when drying clothes near heaters in the winter months, as the risk of them catching fire is great if they are too close. Also, with electric clothes dryers, please ensure that the lint filter is regularly cleared.

The Brigade has been fortunate to acquire three new members in recent times and warmly welcomes them aboard. The inductees are enrolled in a formal CFA training course, combined with in-house training from experienced Brigade mentors, to bring them up to speed with procedures of active firefighting. As we have lost a couple of members who have moved from the Elphinstone area in recent times, this new influx gives the Brigade

With the unpacking of electrics blankets, before using them for the first time in the season it is best to lay them out flat and test them whilst at the same time closely monitoring them, to ensure there are no safety issues.

Usually, with the change of our clocks from Daylight Savings Time back to Eastern Standard Time, Wishing you all a fire-safe winter, come reminders in the media to Tracey Franze, Secretary check your smoke detector batteries, however, if you have not done so already, please ensure that the

Elpho Info

June 2013

130+ turn out to Elpho Expo

The first annual Elpho Expo was a great success. Held on Sunday 26th May 2013, the event saw a great turnout from the community, eager to have their say on Community Planning in Elphinstone. With a $300 budget from Mount Alenxander Shire Council, a free sausage BBQ was enjoyed by people who visited between 11am and 2pm, whilst pizza, wine and desert were appreciated by the 6-8pm crowd (thanks to Sue McLennan and Di Tate for a great job on catering). And what was it all for? To get community feedback and input on what should be included in a Community Plan for Elphistone. Representatives from a local Ayurveda expert, Elphinstone Fire Brigade, Elphinstone Carpet Bowls Association, Elphinstone Cricket Club, Elphinstone Facilities and Managament Committee, Elphinstone Land Management Association, Elphinstone Playgroup, Elphinstone Tennis Club, Elpho Info, a Healing Centre in Elpho, the idea for a Skatepark, Mount Alexander Shire Council and a yoga studio all had information and/or displays at the event. Everyone who helped make that happen is to be congratulated. Noel Davis and Robert Mactier did a wonderful job with a local history display, bringing in many treasured items, photographs and masses of information. A petition regarding the pub was on hand and at last count had over 140 signatures. The pub was, however, just one issue that was raised at the Expo. The main other points of concern raised through sign-up sheets, giant poster notes and a whiteboard were: * Connecting Community (Social Environment) More than just the pub Social media / website Paper important also * Business directory important * Accuracy of street naming & maps

Emergency services compromised Tackle on a town-wide basis Signage also needs clarification Urgent need for sub-committee Need for help from council * Recreation Reserve Upgrade need Grand vision for Rec Reserve? * Young Community Not enough for children and youth Skate park? Hang out placesroads * Older Residents Mobile library Group activities / connections with broader community * Transportation Buses / public transport * Fire Safety Education for community * Built Environment Old Servo (CFA) to be improved Should train station be opened? Desire to consider longer time frames Desire not to restrict vision to existing zoning & infrastructure Noticeboard not adequate * Natural Environment Green Plan for area opposite pub Active landcare group acknowledged * Culture / Heritage Sawpit gully festival to be restarted Pub of cultural value to the town Enabling special-interest groups * Food Food security (supply, cooperation,

community) * History Proprosal to set up historical society that will include Elphinstone * Respect and unity Involve existing community groups

The next step is to look at these broad issues in more detail and come up with an action plan. Smaller groups may be formed. Next Elphinstone Community Planning meeting will be held on Wednesday June 19th at 7:30pm, Elphinstone Hall. Anyone and everyone welcome. Thank you to the following businesses for donations for the Elpho Expo: Pud For All Seasons, Tarastone Winery, Bakers Delight and Wallaston Wines. Plus Top Meats Castlemaine for a generous discount.

A big thank you also to Elphinstone Primary School Principal Brendan Stewart. The school proved to be an excellent venue and Brendan was very supportive, doing everything asked of him, with a smile.

Elpho Info

June 2013

Fiona Gatt

Broadway Hit for Castlemaine!

Talented local theatre group, Threes A Crowd, will present the hit Broadway musical, Grey Gardens at Castlemaines Phee Broadway Theatre in June.

The musical has had great success on Broadway and wherever its been performed. Now its Castlemaines turn to see this compelling story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Little Edie, the delightfully eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The story traces their lives from the 1940s when they were a vital part of New Yorks social aristocracy, to the 1970s when they lived as recluses in their now dilapidated mansion, Grey Gardens.

Grey Gardens will be performed over three weekends in June Friday 14th, Saturday 15th, Sunday matinee 16th, Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd, Sunday matinee 23rd, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th June. Bookings available from Shoe Connection, 79 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine, 54721251 or The Capital Theatre, View Street, Bendigo, 54346100. Tickets $24 adults, $20 conc.
DISCLAIMER Articles and comments printed in this newsletter are the result of contributions from local groups and relevant news articles pertinent to Elphinstone/Sutton Grange and Metcalfe areas. Views may be reflective of a group or organisation, and are printed as information to all readers. Neither Elphinstone/Sutton Grange and Metcalfe Progress Assoc. nor the Editorial Team are liable for any mistakes, omissions or misprints. It prints and makes no representation as to the truth or accuracy of any description and accepts no liability for any loss suffered by any person who relies on any statement contained herein. The Editorial Team may at time find it necessary to alter text so as to accommodate space, but will in no way alter the validity of a story. They will endeavour to make these changes with the authors.

Offering a unique, individualised program in a small rural setting. *3 and 4 year old programs *Passionate teachers *Lovely community *Come and see 28 Buckley Street, Harcourt Tel: 5474 2391 Email: Harcourt.kin@kindergarden.vic.gov.au

Harcourt Pre-School

Mount Alexander Conveyancing Services

PO Box 88 Elphinstone VIC 3448

for all your conveyancing needs

Sally Henderson Conveyancer Ph: 54 733 531 Mob: 0402 232 968 Email: mtalexconv@bordernet.com.au

AJ CHAPMAN EARTHMOVING
ANDY & KATH CHAPMAN & GIRLS Calder Hwy, Elphinstone, 3448
For all your Backhoe & Tip truck requirements Quarry and Road Supplies Grader hire Driveway & House Sites

ELPHINSTONE NATIVE PLANTS TRACEY WORSEY LOT 3 WRIGHT ST, ELPHINSTONE

A WIDE RANGE OF GROUND COVERS AND SHRUBS. ALL PLANTS GROWN ON SITE FROM GARDEN STOCK AND SEED. NATIVE PLANTS SUITABLE FOR GARDENS AND SOME LARGER TREES; EUCALYPTS, WATTLES, AND HAKEAS.

ZUMBA
Weseley Hill Hall Mon 7-8pm Kyneton Sports & Aquatic Centre Tues 7-8pm Fri 11am-12noon

Andy has 24 years local knowledge & experience For further information phone: 0408 507 770 or 5473 3294

54733211 BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

Elpho Info

June 2013

Elphinstone Sports
The winter weather brings a quiet season for sports clubs in Elphinstone.

Elphinstone Post Office and General Store

5473 3200
Weekdays 7.30am-5.30pm Saturday 8.00am-1.00pm Sunday 8.00am-12noon Public Hol8.00am-12noon Gill and Dave
Bowenworks Castlemaine
Relaxation and Deep Tissue Massage Bowtech Bowen Therapy Lymphatic Drainage Holistic Healing Ear Candling Lomi Lomi Massage 203 Barker St, Castlemaine 5473 3490 2497 Calder Hwy, Elphinstone 0423 466 126
Member of AAMT and BBAA
Loretta Nicoletti

Carpet Bowls is fast approaching the finals of the season. The

Cricket is in the off season. Things will kick off again in September, although the AGM will be held in late July. A HANDY HUNDRED $100 cash prize at home games will commence with the new season, open to ECC Social Club members. For all enquiries about the Elphinstone Cricket Club contact Bryan Keillor-Reed on 0429 035 877.

Association will then take a break. A short summer season, starting earlier in the evening, may be run - so watch out for that.

Tennis will run another MLC Hots Shots program in term 4 and Senior
and Junior competitions will start again in October. Social club tennis is no longer running on Friday mornings due to frost on the courts but some members have expressed an interest in meeting around midday on a weekday. For all Elphinstone Tennis Club enquiries contact Lisa on 0412 137 345 or elphinstonetc@gmail.com.

Elphinstone Playgroup

As the term comes to a close we have seen our playgroup grow. We now have families not just from Elphinstone but also Chewton and Bendigo. We attended the Elpho Expo to showcase what our Playgroup has to offer and what our community want for our children.

Late Model Euro Diesel Specialist Full Diagnostic & Repair Service

Euro Commercial Repairs

Mark Gardiner
Master Technician
Lot 5 Carinya Crt, Elphinstone, 3448

We need as many new enrolments as possible as we may be forced to increase our fees to be able to keep sponsoring Moffat from Zambia, buy and maintain our materials, support the Biggest Morning Tea, provide morning tea and now paying for the rent of the hall. If you know of any families with non-school age children we would love to see them. Playgroup is a wonderful way to get to know the community and it is a great place to start your childs education. Social and emotional development is the backbone of future education and gives the children a safe environment to practice these emerging skills. If you are interested in attending we meet Tuesdays at the hall at 9:15 11:15. You can call Rebecca Paine on 0488935558 for more information.

0428 449 152 eurocr@bigpond.com

COMPUTERS
Upgrades, Repairs, New PCs, Web Sites Local to Elphinstone, servicing the shire Call John on 0418 352 204 www.johngatt.com

Hedge end Healing CliniC

revitalise your health and well being

The usual comprehensive comparison of rainfall between past years, Castlemaine, and Harcourt is sadly missed in this edition as Wes recovers from a hip replacement. Get well soon Wes. Heather Pollard came to the resuce with these figures for 2013 in Elphinstone: March: 25.75 April: 7 May: 30.5

Rainfall by Wes Watson

Carolyn Hudson
remedial massage therapist infant massage instructor health provider recognition AAMT member

ear candling, hot stone massage, reflexology, shiatsu

0416 108 823 Taradale

Elpho Info

June 2013

Elphinstone Land Management Association

At last, the rains have arrived! Its a wonderful time to do some planting. ELMA has a range of local trees and shrubs for sale the plants were propagated by Frances Cincotta from seed collected in Elphinstone and surrounds. Tubes are $2 each or $100 per box (50 plants). Phone Robyn on 0407 092 599 if youre interested in buying some be quick, they wont last long. ELMAs AGM (Annual General Meeting) will be held on Thursday 27th June at 7pm at the community hall. We are hoping to secure a guest speaker for the night more information will be posted on the notice board outside the PO in the next few days. Our next planting and rejuvenation day will be held on Sunday 30th June at 10am across the road from the pub. On this day we plan to tidy up past projects in the town and re-plant additional shrubs. This will be followed by a BBQ at the Sawpit Gully Reserve (next to PO). So please come along its a great opportunity to help your local environment, keep fit and meet some local Landcarers. A word of warning it is illegal to collect firewood from roadsides and public land. Many people steal wood believing they are cleaning up. In fact, they are destroying unique habitat of which we have little in Elphinstone. Everyone loves seeing a koala, an echidna wondering along the roadside, or a blue tongue lizard. When you steal wood from the roadsides you are flogging their logs! Under the Planning & Environment Act (state legislation): the removal of native vegetation is an offence whether the vegetation is dead or alive or dead or standing. Fines apply.

Castlemaine/Gisborne Cleaning Services and All Areas Duct Cleaning contact: Christine Adams 0419 006 591

Elpho Info

June 2013